My Minutia

Oh, Tagged Again

The ever talented Lisa has tagged me. Okay, now who wants to reveal their wierdness? Not me...which is why I've put this off for a week now. Not one to be a party pooper though-so here we go. On with the wierdness that makes me who I am. Plus you can choose wierd things or habits. Choice is good. Here are the rules…. each player starts with 7 random facts/habits about themselves. People who are tagged need to write on their own blog about their seven things, as well as these rules. At the end of your blog, you need to choose 7 people to get tagged and list their names. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them that they have been tagged and to read your blog!

My 7 random facts or habits are….(holding my breath now):

1. I always start my day off early and with a cup of coffee w/creme and about 45 min to an hour of journal time. Have done that for about 8 years now (after reading Julia Cameron) love it and don't even feel normal if I don't get to do that.

2. I vaccum every day. Not all rooms, but the main ones for sure. Whatever. Can't help it!

3. I do not have a green thumb. No good at gardening. I never give up though...and spent too much on flowers every season!

4. I was a pom-pom girl in high school. Sequins galore!!

5. Always have painted fingernails. OPI is my weekness. Especially their names. So clever they are.

6. I wear lipgloss whenever possible. 

7.  Still have that driving thing....hate to drive. More like a fear of it. Hate it hate it hate it.

That wasn't so bad I guess.
Now here's the part where you are supposed to tag 7 people. Hmmmm....how about Marilyn.  Her work rocks. I don't know what else to say. Always has and always will! Next, Deb Kennedy.  She is a way cool stylist and we had fun during that swap we just did. Next, Sweet Steph  at Homegrown Hospitality. one busy gal and making those dreams happen one day at a time...love her! Next, Andrea. Her blog is so pretty! How about a bit of wierdness from Marah. I doubt there is any, but we can always check and see. Her CI line is so rockin' these days. We need to see some wierdness from Teresa S., too. Such a talented painter she is! Lastly, I tag you dear reader. Play along...be a good sport! Just copy this into your blog, fill in your 1 thru 7 and tag some pals. At least we'll all be wierd together.

In other news, it was a great weekend! The boys golfed yesterday, we bought loads of flowers for the front and side of the house. See #3 above and you'll know why I am crossing my fingers on that one. Watched Night at the Museum with the boys. Such a good movie. Especially for boys. So much fantasy and well, just a great PG movie for kids. although Jim and I loved it too! Highly recommend it.

Oh, did you know that Victoria Magazine is scheduled to reappear in October, 2007? How great is that?!?! Something to look forward to, huh?!

Much to share this week...stay tuned!

 

 

5:00 somewhere

She used to bring out the potato chips and one beer for Grandpa on Saturday nights in the summer. Or on any hot afternoon that warranted relaxation. They would sit at the picnic table strategically placed on west the side of their white 2 story farmhouse. Their cattle at the bottom of the hill in the distance. Their corn and bean fields surrounding the homestead.

After Grandpa washed up, they would sit and share that beer with a few Kitty Clover potato chips. Sometime salted peanuts. When my sister and I would visit for a week in the summer, we had lemonade with them and played with the farm cats. We loved the spring kittens and chasing them in the grass.

But the big show in front of us was the love Grandma had for Grandpa. They had for each other really. On their farm land, middle of nowhere and yet everywhere, with a long days work behind them, they enjoyed that beer together. The dainty lady and her man in a feed cap. She giggled like a school girl. Old people in love I thought to myself at the age of ten or eleven. Hm. Who knew. I'll forever keep the mental picture of a Grandpa's large suntanned hand and her dainty hand wrapped around that tin can.

Fastforward to last weekend. Hot day. Sitting on the deck enjoying the company of Jim's brothers and sisters. BBQ scents, kids on swingsets laughing in the distance. I had planned for Corona Lights with limes. Some beer drinkers in the crowd, must be a good hostess.

Cindy, my sweet sister in law, introduced me to this. Dark Side Vanilla Porter by Empyrean Ales. Really perfect on a hot day. SO tasty. Dark beer yes, but light. The vanilla is present but subtle and entertains my taste buds. Quenches my thirst. Been waiting all week for it.

Tonight I grabbed myself one. With a lime wedge. Sitting on the deck watching Jim grill steaks and thinking about Grandma and her Saturday night half a Schlitz.

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend.

P.S. This is my 450th post. Wow. Never knew I had so much to say. Cheers!

Deb's a Doll & Good Girl Scouts

Ok wow, has my mailbox been flooded with emails. Thanks everyone for sharing the great news about Silver Bella! More great things just keep on happening on that front, which is SO exciting! Will report what I can when I can. Just know it's all good. So very!! :)

Moving on now, to show the swap piece I did last week for Deb. She sent me that great blue nest I posted about recently. Deb should have gotten this in the mail by now so I feel it's safe to share.

D is for Doll and that's definitely Deb! She had a color request of pink and green. Which was a fun challenge and direction.

I suppose my favorite thing (besides the color combo)  on this hanging piece is the little paper doll heads. The dolls are from my paper doll collection. Actually, these were my mom's paper dolls when she was growing up. SUCH a box of treasures they are.

Someday I will share them and the amazing clothes my Mom made for her paper dolls. Ya just won't believe it!! But that's another story isn't it?! Anyhoot, I just love these faces. Deb has a face on her blog that reminded me of these paper doll heads. Gotta love it when that happens. I hope she enjoys this piece and hangs it in her studio, bathroom, bedroom....you know, one of her personal girly spaces!

Lastly,

an important FYI
for SPARKLE BELLA ATTENDEES!

If you need to get the supply lists for that magical June Day in Mesa...and if you want to be prepared
like a good girl scout,
and I know you're gonna want to get in on the swaps action....so check it all out by clicking below!

198 Days & Canvases

As promised, I have big SILVER BELLA news to share! I posted the list of this year's Prima Bella's for 2007...a fantastic line up! I have seriously been pinching myself the last month or so because they are so perfect for the Event. Their styles, their talents, their energy...all make for over the top workshops!

If you are enamoured by trendsetting projects with yesterday's charm, texture, and pattern;

if you are drawn to the country's leading artists of all things kitschy, altered and vintage chic;

if you are looking to grow and be refreshed and inspired like never before;

then Silver Bella is exactly where you need to be November 9-10!

There's no event on the map like this one!

Former Silver Bella attendees will remember the returning Bellas: Kimberly Kwan, Carolyn Peeler, Pam Garrison and myself. This year we added more to tempt and delight you. Rebecca Sower who's well known for her timeless style in the paper arts industry, Charlotte Lyons  the mistress of all things crafty and has worked extensively with Midwest Seasons of Cannon Falls and Mary Engelbreit, Jennifer Paganelli  the textile genius of Sis Boom and who's fabrics and artwork grace everyone's favorite women's magazines almost monthly, and Jenny Holiday and Aaron  are the dynamic duo of Everyday is a Holiday who continue to blow folks away with their vintage home goodness! Now you know why I am counting the 198 days to Silver Bella. Can't wait to work with all of them!

Okay, putting my feet back on the floor after sharing that news! Hold on. Okay, that's better. I have more news to share. Yesterday was a super day! Besides putting all of the above together, and initial stages of the website for Silver Bella, I was able to finish up some other things. Like the canvases I'd started last week. So glad I got to work on them! I am selling them here. I think they'd make special Mother's Day gifts for you or someone you care about that deserved a little tribute.

She is the Queen
This 9x12 canvas was collaged with a myriad of my very favorite colors, layered with bits of vintage ledger paper, and unique pattern papers and inks. The focal point is a striking vintage photo. She and her crown are secured and then stitched to canvas. Handstitched mother of pearl buttons, and vintage rhinestone flower. Text reads: she is noble and kind.  $47. includes Priority Mail shipping, US Only.

She is Beautiful                --SOLD--
This 9x12 canvas was collaged with a myriad of my very favorite colors, layered with bits of vintage ledger paper, and unique pattern papers and inks. The focal point is a gentle young woman's vintage photo, secured and stitched to canvas. "Beautiful just as she is" text resting inside ornate silver charm with 70 year old blue ribbon. A row of charming beads stitched to right of photo. Bottom right of canvas reads: Wherever there is a soul to admire, such is beauty forever. - Thoreau 
$47. Includes Priority Mail Shipping. US Only.

The Fairy Godmother   -Sold-
This 9x12 canvas was collaged with a myriad of my very favorite colors, layered with bits of vintage ledger paper, and unique pattern papers and inks. The focal point is a serene young lady's vintage photo. She and her rhinestone embedded crown are secured and stitched to canvas. Above photo is a silver keyhole, and German Glass glittered stic (or wand) wrapped with Swarovski crystals. Written about the canvas "protector and 3 wishes". A treasure to anyone who needs a Fairy Godmother or who is a Fairy Godmother!
$47. Includes Priority Mail Shipping. US Only.

Please email me (tmcfayden@cox.net)  if you are interested in purchasing any of these canvases.

Thanks for letting me share my news and art with you today!

Hooray for Monday

Happy Monday! A new fresh week full of hope and opportunities! Had a wonderful weekend. Couple of things to share.
Check out the darling and gorgeous nest I got last week from my sweet new friend Deb! she and I decided to do a swap together. I love the nests she makes on occasion for Inspire Company and am never lucky enough to get one before they are gone. So we swapped with each other. It's in blues pour moi and smells so divine I can't get over it. Love the bird she added, too. I think she is making some summer nests for Inspire Co. soon. I thought it'd be perfect sitting in this silvet compote dish I got long ago from Becky. I finally had a chance to fulfill my end of the swap and am shipping Deb's piece off to her today. Hope she likes it as much as I like my sweet nest!

And we celebrated lots this weekend. AJ's First Communion. Had lots of aunts and uncles over for a BBQ. It was great to see everyone! Sr. Mary Jo was even in town from St. Louis so we got to catch up with her, too.

Here is one of my favorite pix from Aj's big day. There were 111 Communicants so it was a long long Mass! It's a highlight of the year for the church though, and maybe I have a 7th sense or something but I could totally feel the spirit in the church. Gotta love that. I will live off of that feeling for a long time.

Day By Day

It's been an intense week.
And it's not over yet!
Lot's of parties, meets and games here.
Something every night.
You stop and question how it's all going to come together with the amount of time and energy you have... and then it's like *whish* it just does.

Feels funny to be posting about all of the good times, happiness, and blessings of late when there is so much of the exact opposite playing out in other parts of our country.

I don't want to taint this post any further with the words that come to mind when we think of Virginia.....so on I go with a lighthearted and happy post. Because that's what we got going on around here folks!

It's official...Allie's big day has come and gone. She is Miss Sweet 16! Couldn't be happier! I took her to lunch on her big day and to the DMV to get her license. ACK!!!  I pray a LOT more now. I try not to think negative....and keep only positive thoughts in mind every time I know she is on the road. Oh, Lord, help me hold it together. Help HER, too. Please.

As a family we managed to share an hour of her day partying with cake and prezzies on the deck. It's been so nice here. She loved it. Her car was the big deal but the Juicy jewelry certainly caught her eye in a heartbeat. So many smiles!!

The weekend belongs to AJ. It's his First Communion this weekend. Been busy busy getting ready for that. Making, doing, cleaning, planning, ordering...and so on. He is so looking forward to his day to shine. Speaking of shining....that's my current favorite buzz word. Shine.
The light.
Living in the light.
God's light.
And reflecting the light back to others.

Lastly, I have lots of Silver Bella news to share. Oh yeah!!!  I know I've been teasing about it for a while now, but as soon as I get the time, I will post more! Early next week.

The Grass is Always Greener

...when it's on your knees.

Check out the afternoon knees on my 8 year old. They were like that when I picked him up from school. That's playing and enjoying recess at full speed isn't it!? I had to laugh when I noticed his knees today.

I love the comparison my friend, Charlotte recently made about me trying to create without intention, like a child, and my daughter who trying her hardest to be an adult. Talk about role reversal!

Well, if Andrew can do it, I can too.You should see my desk right now. Full tilt mess. I've been painting. My hands are a mess. The feelin'

good dried paint and glue kinda mess. But talk about funnnnn! I have a few ideas on what to do next with this but am trying to remain open. I just feel like it's gonna be good. Love the base so far. Can't wait for the next recess...

Art Interp

First off, I invite you to see Jennifer Pebbles great new digi sets on her site: here. The above background damask pattern in the banner is from there. When I saw it I flipped! Love it. Thanks Jen!

This is a large canvas I painted in a series for the retail store I had a few years ago. They now hang in our basement office area. This one was always one of my favs.

There are even a few pieces of an old Starbucks cup holder behind some of the paint. I like the texture! If you look close maybe you'll see them, too.

I created it to remind myself that I all too often
overwork,
overprocess, and
overthink.
I still do at times but I've learned to see the signs of such behavior and can then make changes. Changes to move on, more forward...try again....etc. Whatever it takes. Keeping out of my own way and letting the inspiration or creating just flow and happen. Sometimes that's easy and sometimes it's hard, isn't it.

The child in me wants art and creating to be simple and fun and free spirited. The adult in me is the one that knows it's not all fun and play. It's not a series of happy accidents. It's work and it's a specific mindset and it's showing up.....and so on.

I still think letting go and getting the adult out of the way sometimes is a good thing. Definitely more fun! So, my hope today is to send a reminder to you to stop overthinking if you find yourself guilty of such, and just let go and play!!

My 5

Time for some fun on this Freaky Friday! The ever fun and talented Deb at Hummadeedledee has tagged me, so I need to list 5 blogs I currently turn to for inspiration. I know inspiration comes in many forms, so I tried to list some unique ones. Also, not state some of the obvious ones. Simple enough! It was a feather in my hat to be chosen for Deb's top 5!

1. I click on A Fanciful Twist lately to admire her illustrations. Wow. Love her style.

2. I click on Sweetpeas and Snapshots for jaw dropping classes, cool products and style inspiration. How do they do it? Mary, Suzi and their crew just rock. Often days they update their blog more than once!

3. I click on Wishes-Heros for inspiration and cuteness. I can't read a word of it because it's not in English....but on some level that's even more interesting and mysterious. Her work is fresh and whimsical. Good thing for my wallet that I have no idea how to purchase them!

4.I click on Lori Vrba to be moved. She is an amazing professional photographer. I honestly get goosebumps or even a tear when I look at her work.Sigh. Someday!

5. I click on Red Shoes lately, too. New blog/store for me. Catherine has the cutest things. Lots are handmade. Also get inspired because she is an entrepreneurial mom-thus a very full life with her children, store, and her art....that inspires me, cuz I can relate.

The other part of playing is to tag some other bloggers and ask for their top 5 inspiration sites. I will try to talk these gals into playing along too: Becky, Cari, and Jill! I am tagging YOU dear blog reader, too.
Share what sites inspire you. Just put a link or two in the comments below!

 

Oh, Mesa

Oh how I wish today was the day to jet off to Arizona for Sparkle Bella at Scrapbooks, Etc! I've been getting supplies ordered, and creating signs and ATC's for the store, too.

As a previous store owner, I love the idea of beautiful signs about the store, displayed and telling the customers what's coming up. To take home a little reminder, or piece created by the Instructor is really cool, too. Last I heard there was one little ol' spot left in Sparkle Bella.

I'm teaching an altered book class called Bella Flora. We'll be using some of the newest Foof a La Collection, which came in the mail yesterday. I'll have lots of door prizes for Sparkle Bella, too! 

Kim has some fun adventures and excursions planned for Carolyn, Marilyn, Cori, and I. Totally looking forward to hanging out with these gals before the big day at Scrapbooks Etc.!  I'm sure the store is going to blow me away. So exciting!

Back to today, I've got so many ideas in my head and am really anxious to work in my messy studio. I've been good all week--cleaning and cooking. Mostly, I feel the need to sit at the desk and "noodle".

Very often I disconnect out of fear, and it takes a few days to "build myself up" and bring forth or bring out what's in my head. But I'm almost there. Woke up feeling wonderful and ready. But for now, I'm off to volunteer--it's my turn to pass out the milk and silverware at aj's lunchroom. Oh boy!

P.S. To those who asked for the Abelskiver Recipe yesterdaty: look at the post (below) and the first picture is the recipe I used. Click on the photo and the photo will get larger so you can just write it down. :)